Complete thesis - Murdoch University

Figure A.3: The SENavigator for the Software FactoryIt should be noted that, although the infrastructure for this system was in existence priorto 1999, material in the Software Factory named RESD (Requirements Engineering andSoftware Design) was produced by (or for) the lecturer, and the pedagogical componentcompletely her work. Briefly, the Software Factory presents a coherent system and learningcontext. Rules are established so that the cognitive overhead required by the medium in minimisedthrough: consistency (limiting the appearance of fragmentation); effortless/automaticnavigation; increased orientation so that the content (not just the user interface) allows thestudent to identify current position, history, options, etc. and learning support in terms ofaccess to discussion fora, email, bugreporting.Within the two clusters (each comprising four units with an emphasis on theory (RESD) orapplication (SE1234)) which make up the Software Factory, topics are categorised mnemonicallyas sections. This allows for ‘chunking big’ and focusses on connections between topicsin the same category for content- and context- dependent knowledge construction (Jonassen,1992). The SENavigator provides the tools for navigating and accessing the unit material. InFigure A.3, the section Requirements Modelling (top row) is highlighted. Since this is an REunit all topics are active. If in the ‘select course’ another unit had been chosen, these topicswould not be active (large X through the button, and no hot link to the material). The labelsare naturally rather short and cryptic, but the full title can be displayed by simply hoveringover the required button.Each unit has a comprehensive study programme comprising a set of topics across relevant461